Name: Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 sweet potatoes; 1 tbsp oil canola or avocado; ½ yellow onion; 1 bell pepper; 2.5 tsp kosher salt divided; 1.33 lbs ground beef; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp chili powder; 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes; toppings of your choice (guacamole, cilantro, crema, onions, etc.)

These Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a filling and easy weeknight recipe. Made with ground beef and other taco flavors, it’s a healthy meal that’s perfect whether you’re gluten free, paleo, or Whole30!

Three stuffed sweet potatoes with ground beef and guacamole on a light wooden background.

Finding ways to reuse or repurpose recipes is the best, and that’s exactly what these Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are.

For this I’m using my Mexican Ground Beef recipe that is super versatile. It’s really quick to make and is perfect for these stuffed sweet potatoes. But what really makes these are the toppings. The guacamole compliments this dish so well. Of course you’re welcome to top it with whatever you want, but trust me, the guac is the trick.

What Makes These Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes So Great

They’re really quick to make, especially when you cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave!
You can top these stuffed sweet potatoes however you want – guac, chopped onions, cilantro, whatever does it for you!
They’re great for meal prep – just cook the filling and potatoes, pack them separately and reheat when you’re ready to eat!

Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about sweet potatoes for a minute.

What Are Other Names For Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are sometimes called yams, but did you know they’re not the same thing? And that there are actually two types of sweet potatoes?

Yams are a starchy root vegetable that’s native to Africa an Asia. Sweet potatoes come in two varieties – firm and soft. The soft sweet potato is what’s called for in this recipe – where the flesh is orange and gets soft and fluffy when it cooks up.

If you’re still confused, read more about the differences in this article from The Kitchn.

Which Is Healthier, Sweet Potatoes or Yams?

They both have benefits, though soft sweet potatoes contain more beta carotene and Vitamin C.

Are Sweet Potatoes Whole30 Compliant?

Yes! All types of potatoes are Whole30 compliant, even white potatoes. But you can’t eat commercially prepared fries or potato chips. See more information about potatoes and Whole30 in this article.

What About Other Diets? Are Sweet Potatoes Paleo?

Sweet potatoes are paleo too! There is some debate in the paleo community about whether or not white potatoes are paleo, but sweet potatoes are considered paleo compliant.

Now onto the recipe!

Top down shot of beef stuffed sweet potato with beef and guacamole on a white plate with a fork, next to a skillet with ground beef in it. Half an avocado and a cut lime are next to the plate.

How To Make Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

The first thing to do is cook the sweet potatoes. You could certainly roast them in the oven, but it’s a lot easier to cook them in the microwave.

How To Cook Sweet Potatoes in the Microwave

Take a fork or sharp knife and poke holes in the sweet potato, making sure to pierce beneath the skin. Dampen a paper towel and wrap it around the sweet potato then stick it in the microwave. Set the timer to cook for 4 minutes.

Take the sweet potato out and flip it over, then cook for another 2 or 3 minutes. Unwrap the potato slightly then try piercing it to the middle with the sharp knife. If the knife doesn’t go in easily, keep microwaving in 1 to 2 minute increments (with the potato wrapped in the paper towel) until it’s fully cooked through to the center.

Repeat the process for however many potatoes you’re cooking, making sure to re-dampen the paper towel between potatoes.

How to Make the Mexican Ground Beef Filling

I’ve listed directions for the Mexican Ground Beef in its own separate recipe, which is super easy and can be used in lots of different ways. But here’s the quick version.

Dice the onions and bell peppers and cook them in a pan (or skillet) with salt for about 5 minutes.

Remove the vegetables then cook the ground beef with the remaining seasonings. Once cooked through, place the veggies back in, dump the diced tomatoes in (don’t drain them!), then cover and cook on low for 10 minutes.

How to Assemble the Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Cut a long slit down the top of the potato, and two short slits on each side of the long slit (so it should look like you’re carving a capital I in the potato). Push on the ends of the potato to open it up.

Place a small amount of ghee (or butter if not paleo/Whole30) if you’d like, or just start spooning some of the ground beef mixture into the sweet potato.

Top it with whatever you like – a simple guacamole, cilantro, onions. Anything goes!

Close up of a fork taking a scoop out of a stuffed sweet potato with Mexican ground beef and guacamole in it on a white plate.

Cooking Tips

Cook one sweet potato at a time. It takes longer to cook them if you put more than one in the microwave.
Don’t forget to re-dampen the paper towel for each sweet potato! The potatoes really need that to help create steam.
Make the filling while you’re cooking the sweet potatoes in the microwave. Depending on how many potatoes you’re cooking, it may take 10 or 20 minutes to cook them all. Everything will be done at the same time if you cook the ground beef while the sweet potatoes are cooking.

Variations

Try ground turkey instead of ground beef in the filling!
Replace the sweet potato with a different type of potato!
Switch up the toppings! Try chopped onions, salsa, a crema, or cheese (if not on a Whole30)

Pin These Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes For Later!

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MORE EASY BEEF RECIPES, CHECK THESE OUT!

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